The combined effects of Tropical Storm “Crising” and “habagat” (southwest monsoon) have affected a total of 7,501 families or 23,918 individuals as landslides and flooding were recorded in Visayas and Central Mindanao, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) disclosed Friday, July 18.

The NDRRMC reported that of those affected, 117 persons were staying in evacuation centers across Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), and Soccsksargen which covers South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City (Region 12).

Three rain-induced landslides were recorded in Cebu province: one in Talisay and two in Cebu City.

In Talisay, five individuals were restricted from staying in their homes in Barangay Lagtang after a landslide struck their community due to heavy rains.

In Cebu City, three families comprising 15 individuals were affected by separate landslides in Barangay Apas and Barangay Poblacion Pardo. Some of the families had to be sheltered in a barangay hall while a pick-up truck was damaged.

Meanwhile, 19 areas were flooded in Mandaue and Cebu City in Cebu province, and in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.

Despite this, the NDRRMC has yet to report any casualties related to Crising and habagat.

Crising and habagat also affected 25 roads and bridges in Antique and Iloilo in Region 6; Cebu in Region 7; and Bukidnon in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), rendering them impassable to the public due to flood or landslide.

One house was also totally damaged in Sibalom, Antique.

Meanwhile, 629 passengers, 256 rolling cargoes, 39 vessels, and five motorboats were stranded while 20 vessels took shelter due to rough sea conditions in 22 affected seaports across Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Palawan, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Southern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Southwestern Mindanao as of 8 a.m. on Friday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab reminded the passengers to stay at home and avoid travel if their planned trips are not essential. She also cautioned fishermen from setting out to sea as the waves are strong, urging them to stay updated on weather conditions.

Deployable response groups (DRGs) were activated in eight of the 16 affected coast guard districts nationwide to ensure they can readily render assistance to affected individuals.

Heavy rains and big waves forced the cancellation of several sea trips in Port Management Offices (PMOs) of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Bicol, Palawan, Masbate, Western Leyte/Biliran, Eastern Leyte/Samar, Bohol, Negros Oriental/Siquijor, Bacolod, Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga City.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) intensified its coordination with local government units (LGUs) and relevant agencies to boost disaster response.

OCD Officer-in-Charge Asst. Sec. Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV said the primary hazard associated with Crising is heavy rainfall, which may trigger flooding and landslides, particularly in vulnerable and low-lying areas.

“Tayo po ay makinig, at kung maaari sumunod po at maghanda para sa mga weather disturbances po. We want your cooperation and we assure you of our continuous support and patuloy na pag-suporta sa mga local government units natin (Let us listen, and if possible, follow and prepare for any weather disturbances. We want your cooperation and we assure you of our continuous support and ongoing assistance to our local government units),” he said.

The alert status at the NDRRMC has been raised from Blue to Red effective 12 noon of July 17, which means that full emergency operations have been activated.

Under Red alert, all concerned government agencies under the NDRRMC are on 24/7 standby or active duty. Rapid deployment, emergency response teams, and critical services are prioritized to ensure public safety and coordination across regions.

“We are ready to provide augmentation to the different LGUs na apektado. Constant ang aming communication with our regional offices and nakaready po ang mga resources natin to augment the LGUs (We are ready to provide augmentation to the different affected LGUs. Our communication with our regional offices is constant, and our resources are ready to support the LGUs),” Alejandro said.

The OCD has prepositioned family food packs and other relief items for the storm-hit residents in affected areas.

It said a total of P1.25 million worth of relief assistance has been distributed to 1,405 affected families in Western Visayas alone, but there remain 5,699 families needing relief aid in the region.

In a related development, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) alerted its regional offices to ensure readiness and timely response for those affected by Crising and habagat.

Upon the instruction of DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, Undersecretary for Disaster Response Henry Yap ordered all regional directors, assistant regional directors, and Officers-in-Charge to convene their respective cluster teams.

“In compliance with the President's directive and given the current weather situation, all RDs, ARD, OICs are advised to activate your monitoring and assistance units, convene and or call upon the shelter cluster and its members,” Yap said.

“Closely monitor the situation in your respective areas of jurisdiction and submit daily reports. The same shall include information of affected areas, estimates of affected persons, action taken by your office, requested action from central, if any,” he added.

Under NDRRMC Memorandum No. 5 Series of 2022, the DHSUD serves as the lead of the government's shelter cluster.

The agency provides unconditional cash assistance of P30,000 to families whose houses are totally damaged and P10,000 for those with partially damaged residence under the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP).

The DHSUD likewise distributes home materials and essentials (HOMEs) to victims of typhoons as immediate assistance.